When Steve Stamkos is at his best, he can do almost anything, like keep the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoff picture. Stamkos has 15 goals in his last 17 games, including the game-winner in overtime against Carolina Saturday night. Although, as you’ll see, Teddy Purcell also deserves his fair share of the credit for faking the shot and then feeding Stamkos the puck.

Stamkos already looks like a lock for the Rocket Richard Trophy and he’s neck-and-neck with Evgeni Malkin for the Art Ross Trophy. The Lightning still have their work cut out for them if they want to make the playoffs, but anything is possible if Stamkos stays hot.

Stamkos continuously makes himself an impact player for Tampa. His two way game has allowed him to increase his lethal talent and develop into one of the top 5 players in the game today. Steven’s ability to find the back of the net and make plays has gotten much less recognition because of playing for Tampa, but if this team makes the playoffs, it will be because of Steven and his talented linemates.

Ryne McClaren - Mar 4, 2012 at 10:45 AM

Watch it? I was sitting not terribly far from the very spot that call was made. I’ve seen enough of it, thank you. But never mind the *actual* rules of the game you saw on video, because Stamkos is so epic and we all get so excited when he scores.

Any of you “watch the tape lol” guys want to tell me which part of rule 51.1 actually happened there? “Roughing is a punching motion with the hand or fist, with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent.” I’m eagerly anticipating genius analysis of the play and subsequent call, so please don’t disappoint me.

Here, I’ll help you reach your homer verdict for “Stammer”: Garon was out of the crease. Sutter was making effort to avoid contact. Stamkos maintained contact the entire way.

This sort of nonsense makes me yearn for the days when the Caps *didn’t* suck. HomerHockeyTalk just hasn’t been the same since.

You are 1/2 right. That clearly should not have been called for goaltender interference. Garon was out of the net and Sutter did his best to avoid him. Maybe in the first period you can make that call (still shouldn’t), but in overtime you can’t call that.

That being said, Stamkos was clearly trying to pull him away from running into Garon. His arm didn’t rap around until the puck was gone and he was not trying to pull him down.

My verdict: Bad reffing.

My reaction: I have lived with bad reffing so long as a lightning fan, that I am glad it worked our favor. But I would definitely be pissed.